Bagpipe ~ School & Services


MKH BAGPIPE TUITION
Bagpipe tuition, bagpipes and accessories support in the Waikato,
('Bagpipe Lessons', in the Waipa/Waikato region of New Zealand. E-mail)
All your necessities for learning to play the bagpipes : Instruments, books, instruction.

The services of Mitchell's Bagpipe Services and School, are provided by Bryan Mitchell, an active piper with 35+ years experience as a Pipe-Major in local pipe bands. In all, >64 years piping experience with pipe bands, solo piping and professional bagpiping. As a learner you get tuition, service and support from someone experienced and passionate about piping and the associated culture. If you want to learn how to play just E-mail your inquiry for further details.

Used and New Bagpipes.


Used/New Bagpipes.
Some used sets are currently available.

Copyright © 2022
Mitchell Kilt Hire
Main Mitchell Kilt Hire web-page Top Contact Us Visit Piping Themes website Other Links

This page is to inform about services available.
No online sales are available.

Support given by personal contact. Location (by appointment), phone (07) 870 5242 or e-mail me and we start from there.

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Tuition Requisites.

Ages: Children need to be old enough to have a good attention span and be able to listen to instruction. Often this may mean around 10 - 12 years and older. Children younger may learn also but attitude and interest is a pre-requisite.

Physical size: Hand size really. Fingers need to be able to reach the holes on the practice chanters. There are three sizes - childs, standard and longspan. Often children grow out of the childs size quite quickly and as cost for childs size and standard size are the same for basic models, it is sometimes sensible to delay tutoring until fingers reach the holes on the standard size practice chanter.

Practice Chanter: A practice chanter is required. We have them for purchase. Classes/or individuals can use loan p/chanters during class but these remain at the classroom as they are for initial instruction only or use if a student forgets to bring theirs to class.

Books: Both, a music manuscript book and a tutor book (either "Bryan's" or "College of Piping Book 1" "Logan's" or the Piping Academy book are OK)are required. Tuition primarily follows the sequence of the College of Piping (Glasgow) accompanied with notes examples and exercises as the student progresses.

Writing implements: A pencil, rubber and ruler. A plain paper note pad and folder.

Computer Access: Optional..... Tuition and music are enhanced by the use of the Electric Pipes program for Windows based PCs. All tunes and exercises are available in abc music file notation and in one of more of the following gif, jpg, png or pdf file formats. The computer program is written by a NZ developer. The DEMO version is FREE and is sufficient for all learning purposes. As such it is included with tunes as required. All tunes used are traditional and outside any copyright concerns. Instruction uses this computer program. When at an appropriate level students are directed how to obtain a full licensed version that enables editing and other features.

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Tuition Books.

Book Options:

Bryan's Bagpipe Tutor.
Is a tutor book following traditional methods. This book is the initial volume of a multi-volume set comprehensively covering bagpipe playing and maintenance.The Tutor book has a Supplmentary tune book with speacial features as if online to the internet the book can enable tunes to be played from the score. Both the Tutor book and Tune Supplement are provided free in pdf form to students being tutored by Bryan.

College of Piping Tutor Book 1.
Is a tutor book, part of a 4 book set produced by the College of Piping in Glasgow.

Academy of Piping Tutor Book - the more recent publication from the Academy of Piping in Glasgow.

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Tuition Tunes.

Tunes:
A basic tune list plus "abc" notation and gif image of all tunes are available and provided.

Music notation example: Scots Wha Hae.
The image below is a file named 'Scots Wha Hae.gif' (size reduced)
followed by the 'abc' text coding for 'Scots Wha Hae.abc'


X:1
%%EPipes[V=2013,LP=120]
T:Scots Wha Hae
C:Trad. Scottish
R:MARCH
L:1/8
M:4/4
Q:1/4=84
K:HP
%%EPipes[LP=170,SP=14,SA=0]
P:A
[|{g}A>B {g}A>G {g}A>B {Gdc}d2|{g}B>c {g}B>A {g}B>c {Gdc}d>e|\
{g}f>a e>f {Gdc}d>e {g}f>e|{g}d>B {gBd}B>{G}A {gAGAG}A4|
{g}A>B {g}A>G {g}A>B {Gdc}d2|{g}B>c {g}B>A {g}B>c {Gdc}d>e|\
{g}f>a e>f {Gdc}d>e {g}f>e|{g}d>B {gBd}B>{G}A {gAGAG}A3 e|]
P:B
[|{g}f>{e}f {g}f>e {g}f>g {ag}a>f|{g}e>{A}e {g}e>d {g}e>f {gf}g2|\
{ag}a>f {g}e>f {Gdc}d>e {g}f>e|{g}d>B {gBd}B>{G}A {gAGAG}A3 e|
{g}f>{e}f {g}f>e {g}f>g {ag}a>f|{g}e>{A}e {g}e>d {g}e>f {gf}g2|\
{ag}a>f {g}e>f {Gdc}d>e {g}f>e|{g}d>B {gBd}B>{G}A {gAGAG}A4|]
% End of tune

NB. If you use the text above, copy it into a text file with the name 'Scots Wha Hae.abc' using the 'Notepad'* utility. Save the above text from and including "X:1" down to "% End of tune", into a text file. Open your internet connection and access this web-site: https://michaeleskin.com/abctools/abctools.html . The web-page has an entry box displayed. You can copy and paste the code above into the box, or drag the Sots Wha Hae.abc file you created into the entry box. The web-app will display the tune in musical score alongside or below the code entered. There is a play function selected by clicking on 'play', an option right and above the entry box. This opens another window that displays the score and has start/stop controls for playing what you see. Alternatively use the NZ developed 'Electric Pipes' program that can be downloaded from the www.bakedbean.co.nz web-site. When installed Epipes can be used to display and play the 'abc' file without having to be registered. The demo install is free. Epipes can read 'abc' files, but the developer says later versions will no longer support 'saving in abc format'. However Notepad++ is able to be used for all editing. All you need to do is learn the 'abc' format coding options. Also the 'demo' versions of Epipes will not 'print' music notation score sheets. The registered version does. Any image processing program will print the 'gif' or 'jpg' files shown.
* Windows 11 has dropped Notepad, so users may need to download the free app Notepad++ or substitute another simple text processor.

Music notation example: Brother John or Frere Jacques.
This is not a traditional bagpipe tune but being a tune
familiar to most children, it is a useful melody to
introduce youngsters to using the practice chanter.
The image below is a file named 'BJ-Frere Jacques.gif' (size reduced)
followed by the 'abc' text coding for 'BJ-Frere Jacques.abc'


X:1
T:Brother John
C:Trad. (Fr)
R:SONG
L:1/8
M:4/4
Q:1/4=84
K:HP
P:A
|:{g}A2 B2 {gcd}c2 A2|{g}A2 B2 {gcd}c2 A2|{g}c2 d2 {gef}e2- e2|\
{g}c2 d2 {gef}e2- e2|
{g}ef ed {gcd}c2 A2|{g}ef ed {gcd}c2 A2|{gBd}B2 G2 {g}A2- A2|\
{gBd}B2 G2 {g}A2- A2:|

X:2
T:Brother John (Frere Jacques)
L:1/16
M:2/4
Q:1/4=84
K:HP
P:A
|:{g}A2B2 {gcd}c2A2|{g}A2B2 {gcd}c2A2|{g}c2d2 {gef}e4|{g}c2d2 {gef}e4|
{g}efed {gcd}c2A2|{g}efed {gcd}c2A2|{gBd}B2G2 {g}A4|{gBd}B2G2 {g}A4:|

NB. If you use the text above, copy it into a text file with the name 'BJ-Frere Jacques.abc' using the 'Notepad' utility or any other simple text editor. NOT Word Processor apps. Use Michael Eskin's online web-page https://michaeleskin.com/abctools/abctools.html which has a data input window into which the 'abc' code displayed can be copied. This FREE to use page will convert the code into a music score that can be played online. The online app also acts as an add-on to web-browsers so it can be used while off-line as well. The 'abc' code can also be used with the NZ developed 'Electric Pipes' app on Windows PCs and Laptop computers. Electricpipes (Epipes)can be downloaded from the www.bakedbean.co.nz web-site, and be installed as a Demo version that can be used without registering and paying a fee. The Demo version of Epipes can read 'abc' files, but does not allow saving or printing until it is registered. The developer of Epipes says eventually later versions will support reading but drop support for saving the 'abc' code. However there are many free to use 'abc' apps as it is much used by folk musicians. Notepad can be used once you've mastered the 'abc' coding Pre Win.11, as MicroSoft has stuffed up by dropping Notepad unfortunately). There are free apps that provide all the necessary input, display, editing and printing using 'abc' music notation coding. Notepad++ is able to be used for all editing.

ABC code is easy to learn and use. However when used with Epipes the lines of'abc' code will have two additional lines added automatically as shown below when saved by the registered version of the app. Also the Q:1/4/=84 line will change to Q:84. When opened by Epipes for the first time the stave size will for some reason be 10x deeper than it should. It's easy to fix by using 'edit', 'select all', 'edit' then click on 'Properties' in options displayed. Then in the panel that is displayed change the value adjacent to 'line' to 1/10th of the defaulted value displayed. i.e. if it displays '167.9' change the value to '16.7' and click on OK. The score will then display correctly.

X:1
%%Epipes[V=2013,LP=125] %This line
T:Brother John
C:Trad. (Fr)
R:SONG
L:1/8
M:4/4
Q:1/4=84
K:HP
%%Epipes[LP=170,SP=14,SA=1] %and this line
P:A

Piper Attire Top

Advice on Kilts, Sporrans and Belts, as well as Kilt Hire and Bagpipes & Accessories. Servicing and repairs of kilts, sporrans, belts & straps, and highland dress accessories. We can still provide our sew on kilt pins, buckles for waist belts and kilt straps, buttons for jackets and various thistle badges and other findings for attaching to sporrans to enhance their appearance, but only while what is on hand lasts.

Bagpipe Hire Top

Limited use of Dunbar P1 Henderson pattern bagpipes is possible for learners during tuition.

Kilt Hire Top

A range of kilts/tartans available are available for use by pipers currently without their own gear for piping occasions or events.

Bagpiping Attire Top

Bryan is able to provide short term use by pipers who are starting their solo piping career but still lack all or some of the necessary highland dress.

Solo piping attire.

MKH can make kilts, belts, sporrans, and provide all your other accessories, including Ghillie Brogue modification to normal brogued shoes. Spare laces, tassels. Repairs and reconditioning of belts, sporrans, kilts.
Beginners & intermediate pipers.

Having trouble setting your pipes and reeds up?
Visit (by appointment) our rural location and have your pipes set up for you.
This can include re-tying of your bag to fit you. Or adjusting the blowpipe

Trouble with noise and neighbours? Practise in our barn or outside in our rural setting.
Or Join the Cambridge & Districts Pipe Band and practice in Cambridge on Thursday evenings.

Bagpipe Tutor book and tune collection.

Mitchell Bagpipe Information , Ph. (07) 870 5242
E-mail Find Us : Click Here for a Map. Visits ONLY by appointment.

Music Teachers - World Directory - Predominently non-GHB.

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Join a Social pipe band
Cambridge & Districts Pipe Band -
Look us up on facebook 'Cambridge and Districts Pipe Band of New Zealand'. Or visit our
band web-pages.
Learners and Playing members (pipers and drummers) of all ages wanted, and made very welcome.

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BEMitchell
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